[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   HONORING FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH ON HIS 80TH 
                                BIRTHDAY

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                               speech of

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2004

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 653, a 
resolution honoring President George Herbert Walker Bush, a true 
statesman and American hero, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday.
  President Bush has devoted his life to the service of our nation. As 
a highly decorated Navy pilot in World War II; a distinguished 
Congressman and Ways and Means Committee Member from Texas's Seventh 
Congressional District; a successful Ambassador to the United Nations; 
Liaison to China; Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; Vice 
President; and President of the United States--George Bush has ably 
served our country for over 50 years.
  During that time, President Bush has exemplified the very highest 
values and principles of public service--honesty, integrity, 
responsibility, loyalty and patriotism. This is the Bush legacy and the 
example he set for all of us.
  As a staff member who served in the Bush White House, I was 
privileged to learn this firsthand. His leadership as President was 
critical to resolving the challenges of that time: the fall of the 
Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany; the end of Communism and 
beginning of democracy in Eastern Europe; a free trade policy and the 
lowering of trade restrictions and tariffs during the GATT talks; and 
of course, the success of Desert Storm. At home, he supported and 
signed the historic Americans with Disabilities Act; and the important 
amendments to the Clean Air Act, arguably the most important 
environmental legislation ever passed.
  In his retirement, President Bush is still making history. I had the 
privilege of being present in College Station last weekend for his most 
recent birthday parachute jumps, for which he earned parachutist's 
wings from the Army's Golden Knights. The wings included a small bronze 
star, echoing his unplanned jump during World War II, when his torpedo 
bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire south of Japan.
  Mr. Speaker, all of us congratulate President Bush on his birthday, 
and express our gratitude for his remarkable and unselfish public 
service.

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